5 years later

'Joe...' shouted a female voice from the bedroom above the loud rumbles of laughter 'Joseph! Do you think you could wrestle your son into the shower this side of Christmas?' Jac was sat on the edge of their king-sized bed tickling the young boy who rolled around in fits of giggles squealing 'Mummy! Mummy stop it you've got cold hands!' which had no effect as his mother continued.

His father, dressed in a black formal waistcoat and light blue shirt with a striped tie, entered the room- immaculately dressed as always. 'Master Harry Byrne, you have exactly ten seconds to get in that shower before I join mummy...and let me tell you my hands are far colder!' teased the smiling male. The youngster soon shot off the bed and across the landing to his own en-suite. 'And don't forget to brush your teeth!' shouted Jac after him as she sorted out the bed sheets again.

'I've made his lunch and got his school and overnight bag ready' discussed Joseph 'Did Elliot say he would pick him up from school?' he questioned as he sorted out a silver pair of cufflinks for his shirt and ruffling his hair in the long mirror.

'He's taking him to some musical at the theatre' Jac stood up in her black dress giving her partner a knowing look 'Although I haven't broke the news to H just yet. I presume you'd like him to get through a day at school without being hyperactive?'

'Of course-of course... Whilst we get a whole night to ourselves' the dark haired male picked up a large suitcase 'I'll go and put this in the car and then hurry him along'

'Joseph, can you put my work bags in the boot as well please' instructed Ms Naylor, running her hand through her hair Jac examined her body carefully.


'So, Harry what's happening tonight?' questioned Jac looking over her shoulder in the car.

'Grandad's picking me up and I'm having a sleepover at his house!' he screamed excitedly.

'Got it in one!' she replied

'Now, best behaviour for Grandad please young man' insisted his father 'We'll ring tonight to check you're being good, won't we mummy?'

Before his mother could reply the boy butted in looking out of the window of the moving car 'Yes daddy! I'm always a good boy' His parents looked at each other briefly and smiled knowing that that of course was not the full truth. 'Are you working late again tonight? Is that why I'm staying at Grandad's?' for a young child he was clever and had picked up on his parent's busy work lives.

'Not tonight Harry. Me and daddy are going away for the night and we thought you'd prefer to stay with Grandad'

'Are you going to pick the baby up?' he asked, a little confused.

'Baby? Pick what baby up?' his mother replied

'The baby in your tummy' pointed Master Byrne happily 'Daddy said that when the baby comes you go away for a few days then bring it back'

'Did he now?' she looked at the man driving the car 'No that's not why we're going away. That's not for a few weeks yet. We're going to spend some time together before we bring the baby home. Is that okay?' Five years as a parent had taught her that it was important for the child to be happy with situations as well

'Yeah! And I get to spend time with Grandad!'

'Everyone's a winner then!' his father chipped in, turning the radio up a little knowing his son loved 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol, to which the five years old started singing loudly.


'Have you got everything Harry? P.E kit? Lunch? Bag?... right, you've got one minute to get through those doors!' stated Jac climbing out of the car 'I'll be two minutes' she said as she walked off hand in hand with her son through the grand gates of the private school. Joseph sat in the car checking his emails with the engine running, watching the woman of his dreams and his son walk off in harmony.

As one or both of them always did Naylor took Harry into the building and watched him take his coat off, hanging it on the peg with his name above. 'Good morning Harry!' greeted his teacher walking past him in the corridor. 'Morning Mrs Evans!' he grinned back, his cheeky persona evident.

'Right young man, you be a good boy and try your hardest' instructed Jac, trying her best to kneel down in front of him 'Daddy and I will pick you up tomorrow night from Grandad Elliot's'

'Yes mummy. I love you' he whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms tightly around his neck, planting a kiss on her cheek.

'I love you too darling' she replied, hugging him back. Afterwards she took one last glance over her shoulder before leaving through reception. Just the thought of her sons timetable for the day made her feel tired; History, Latin, Maths, English, a piano lesson followed by two hours of football practice before his evening out with Professor Hope. His parents had always been adamant he would have the best education possible, and it was an important structure to keep their seemingly always energetic son out of trouble.

'Did he go off okay? No crying today?' asked Joseph as Jac eased herself back into the Range Rover.

'Good as gold!' she assured her fella. 'I know you worry about him, I do too but I'm sure he's perfectly alright. He just enjoys being at home with us. What child would rather go to school than stay at home?'

'Yes-yes you're right. I thought we could take him to the London Transport Museum at the weekend?' Byrne placed his hand on Jac's knee 'I bet he'd love it there, and it might help him with his History project that I seem to be doing!'

'Whatever takes your fancy' she muttered

'Unless of course you would rather stay at home and rest? I can take him on my own; give you some peace and quiet for a few hours?' the overprotective male suggested.

'Absolutely not!' insisted the red-haired woman 'I do not need to rest!'

'Only Jac Naylor would say such a thing. Just take it easy' Joseph instructed.